She won the AIR Nationals at an age when most people are still learning to clap. Felicitations such as this, then, are just the fine-print of Vijayalakshmi's life.

Ragaragini Arts Association, in association with Sri Thyagaraya Gana Sabha, is organising a light music concert by Vijayalakshmi Desikan, at Kala Subbarao Kala Vedika, on 22nd June. The orchestra support for the recital will be provided by Brahmanandam on the keyboard, Nagaraju on the tabla and Surya Teja on the flute.

Vijayalakshmi was born in a family of musicians. Her father Chittaranjan is well-known light music singer, her mother Dr Padmini Devi is a poet, and her two sisters Vandana Devi and Amruthavalli are classical singers. So music came naturally to her. She learnt vocals initially from her grandmother Perindevi and aunt Shanthachary, and thereafter from Revathi Ratnaswamy.

She won a golden veena in the National-level music competitions organised by the All-India Radio in 1989, and a Tambura from Annamacharya Bhaavana Vahini presented by Swamy Chinna Jeeyar. A graded artiste of the AIR, she sings classical, light, folk, patriotic and devotional music with much ease. She's an Economics lecturer at Aurora Degree College, but Vijayalakshmi still finds time to both teach music to her disciples and manage her household chores.

Tonite, she will be felicitated by the Ragaragini Arts Association. The chief guest for the event is P V Rajeshwara Rao, former Member of Parliament. Kalaprapoorna Dr Pothukuchi Sambasiva Rao, writer, journalist and founder of Vishwasahithi, and Bobbili Bhaskara Rao, music director and singer, are the other distinguished guests.

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